Pipe beveling apparatus



Aug. 31, 1954 A. P. WATERSON 8 PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1950 5 Sheis-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR.

Aug. 31, 1954 A. PfWATERSON PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16. 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

JNVENTOR.

BY Qrwrw Aug. 31, 1954 A. P. WATERSON 2,687,880

PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-She et 3 FIG. 3

IN V EN TOR.

Aug. 31, 1954 A. P. WATERSON 2,687,880

I PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Mam EMWW

Aug. 31, 1954 A. P. WATERSON 2,687,880

PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 16, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented Aug. 31, 1954 PIPE BEVELING APPARATUS Arthur P. Waterson, Tulsa, 0kla., assignor to Perrault Bros., Tulsa, Okla., a partnership consisting of Louis Perrault and Ainslie Perrault Application January 16, 1950, Serial No. 138,796

3 Claims.

1 This invention relates to improvements in pipe cutting machines and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a machine for moving,

a cuttin torch about the periphery of a pipe, and for maintaining the cutting torch in spaced relation to the surface of the pipe.

The present invention contemplates a pipe I cuttin apparatus for field or shop use having a stationary adapter ring essentially channelshaped in cross section and disposed concentrically on a pipe; and a pair of radially adjustable T-shaped feet disposed in spaced relation and carried in housings on the rear face of the adapter ring, for supportin the apparatus on the pipe. The feet are inter-connected by a system of gears to a centering indicator mechanism disposed in a housing on the rear face of the adaptor rin between the foot housings. A carrier ring is rotatably disposed in the stationary ring; and is provided with circular gear rigidly secured on the inner face of the carrier ring for engagement with a pinion gear disposed in the stationary ring and secured to a drive shaft extending axially through the stationary ring. A torch holding mechanism is secured to the outer face of the carrier ring for maintaining a cutting torch carried thereby in a spaced relation to the surface of the pipe as the ring and torch move around the pipe. A small power unit may be disposed on the rear face of the adapter ring and connected to the drive shaft to move the carrier ring and the torch assembly around the pipe, or the drive shaft may be turned manually if desired.

An important object of this invention is to provide a pipe cutting machine which may be accurately and efficiently centered on a pipe in a minimum of time.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pipe cutting apparatus which makes a smooth and trul transverse cut and compensates for all normal irregularities in the contour of the pipe.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pipe cutting machine readily adjustable to cut bevels at several different angles.

Another object of this invention is to provide a pipe cuttin machine capable of bein placed in operating position on a pipe when the end of the pipe is not accessible.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a portable, efficient and durable pipe cutting machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident frompthe followin detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate my invention.

In the drawings:

' tively thereof.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an improved pipe cutting machine disposed on a length of p1pe.

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the machine partially in section for clarity.

Figure 3 is front elevational view of the machine with the supporting members removed.

Figure, 4 is a detailed sectional view taken on line A-A of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a detailed view at the juncture of the removable bridgin sections and the main body portion of the machine as viewed from the front of the machine in Figure 3 with the connecting plate and the carrier ring partially cut away to show the outer face of the rin gear.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the torch holding mechanism partially in section.

Figure 7 is a front elevational view of the torch. holding mechanism with part of the adjusting elements withdrawn or disassembled for clarity.

Figure 8 is a detailed cross sectional view of a portion of the centering mechanism. v

Figure 9 is a fragmentary elevational view of the pipe cutting machine illustrating the operation of centerin the machine on the pipe to be cut.

Referring to the drawings in detail, reference character 2 designates a pipe cutting machine generally, having a stationary substantially annular shaped adapter ring 4 supported concentrically on a pipe 6 by two angularly spaced T- shaped feet 3 and it) extending inwardly from the ring 4. The adapter ring 4 is essentially channel shaped in cross section, having forwardly extending flanges l2 and M (Figures 4 and 5) adjacent the inner and outer peripheries respec- The ring 4 is slotted at I5 to provide for a removable bridgin section It for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. The bridging section is is provided with plates l8 at the opposite ends thereof adapted to be secured to the main body portion of the adapter ring 4 by a plurality of bolts 26. Secured to the outer end of each of the feet 8 and I6 is an axially disposed pin 28 (Figure 4) communicating at its opposite end with a threaded nut 30 disposed on a threaded'stud shaft 32 rotatably supported in I outer end 34 provided with anirregular shaped 3 contour for receiving any suitable hand crank 36 (Figure 2) for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. Each of the radially disposed shafts 32 is also provided with a bevel gear 38 (Figure 4) on its inner end in driving engagement with a similar bevel gear 40 disposed on the outer end of each of the obliquely extending shafts 42. The shafts 42 extend from the foot housings 22 and 24 into a centrally disposed foot housin 44 secured on the rear face of the adapter rin 4 by a plurality of bolts 46 mid-way between foot housings 22 and 24. The ends of the shafts 42 disposed in housing 44 are provided with bevel gears 48 in working engagement with a similar bevel gear 50 secured on the lower end of a vertical threaded shaft 52 supported in the rear portion of the housing 44 by suitable bearings (not shown) and having its upper end 54 adapted to receive the hand crank 36. A threaded nut 55, disposed on the vertical stud shaft 52, has secured thereto an axially extendin pin (not shown) communicating at its forward end with the upper end of a center foot member 58 (Figures 1 and 2) disposed in the forward portion of the housing 44. Provided in the lower end of the center foot 58 is a vertical bore 60 (see also Fig. 8) containing a spring 62 in the upper end thereof and an indicating plunger or feeler 64 which extends below the lower end of the foot 58. The spring 62 is secured at its opposite ends to the foot 53 and the plunger 64 to retain the plunger 64 in the bore 60. The plunger 64 is provided with a circumferential groove 66 approximately medially thereof visible in one position thereof through a transverse slot 61 provided in the foot 58 in communication with the vertical bore 60, for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth.

Rotatably disposed in the adapter ring 4 is an annular-shaped carrier ring 10 (Figure 4) essentially channel shaped in cross section, having circumferential flanges 12 and 14 adjacent the inner and outer peripheries respectively thereof, and having a removable or bridging section 16 similar to I 6 for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. The carrier ring 10 is also provided with a circumferential shoulder 18, adjacent the inner flange 12, adapted to receive a plurality of spaced studs 80 for retaining a ring gear 82 thereto. The ring gear 82 is also provided with a removable or bridging section 84 (Figure 3) corresponding in length to the bridging section 16 of the carrier ring 10. In driving engagement with the ring gear 82 is a pinion gear 86, secured in the adapter ring 4 by suitable bearings (not shown) and having a drive shaft 88, extending axially through the rear portion of the adapter ring 4. The drive shaft 88 may be rotated by a suitable power unit (not shown), disposed on the rear face of the adapter ring 4, or manually if desired.

The bridging section 16 of the carrier rin 10 is provided with plates 90 at the opposite ends thereof, adapted to be secured to the main body portion of the carrier ring 10 by bolts 92 for retaining the bridgin section 16 of the carrier ring 10, and the bridging section 84 of the ring gear 82 in an operating position. Secured to the outer face of the carrier ring flange 14 (Figure 4) by suitable screws 94 is a bearing strip 96 constructed in two sections to conform to the main body portion of the carrier ring 10 and the bridging section 15. An annular shaped retaining plate 98 is secured on the outer end I of the adapter ring flange I4 by a plurality of screws I02, for retaining the carrier ring in the adapter ring 4. The retaining plate has a bridging section I04, conforming to the bridging section l6 of the adapter ring 4 for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth.

Secured to the outer face of the carrier rin 10 by stud bolts I06 is a bracket I08 communicating with an axially extendin shaft H0, having a rack H2 on the top surface thereof (Figures 3 and 6). In working engagement with the rack H2 is a pinion H4 communicating with a knob or handle H6. The pinion H4 is rotatably disposed in a housing I I8 having an axially disposed cylindrical portion I26 for receiving the rod I I0. and a vertically disposed cylindrical portion I22 adapted to have a sleeve I24 secured therein, by means of a set screw I23. The sleeve I24 is provided with a vertical bore I26 containing a spring I28, and the upper portion of a rod or plunger I30. The rod I30 extends below the sleeve I24 and is secured at its lower end I32 in a bracket I34 communicating with an arcuately shaped plate I36. The bracket I34 also communicates with a vertically extending stud I38, drilled and tapped at its upper end I40 to receive a stud bolt I42 for retaining a washer I44 thereon. A vertical spline I46 is provided in the bolt I42 for receiving the outer forked end I48 of a guide member I50, secured on the lower end of the sleeve I 24. Provided on the lower end of the arcuately shaped plate I36 is a pair of transverse studs I52 disposed in spaced relation, and adapted to receive an axially disposed shaft I54 for supportin a wheel I56 therebetween. The plate I36 is also provided with an arcuate slot I58 and an arcuate groove I59. A bolt I60 disposed in aperture I6I secures the torch clamp I62 to the plate I36, and the clamp is provided with a spline (not shown) cooperating with the groove I59 to properly guide the clamp relation to the plate I36.

The clamp I62 is provided with a cylindrical portion I64 for receiving a cutting torch I66 having a rack (not shown) secured on one side thereof. In working engagement with the rack on the side of the torch I66 is a pinion I68 rotatably disposed in the cylindrical portion I64 and communicating with a knob or handle I10. The arcuate slot I58 and the arcuate groove I59 are formed on the arcs of concentric circles having a common center at the lower end I1I (Figure 3) of the torch I66 for purposes as will be hereinafter set forth. The cutting torch I66 is provided with the usual acetylene and oxygen connections I14 and I16 communicating with a source of supply (not shown). Suitable adjusting knobs I15 and I11 are provided for the connections.

To prevent the beveling machine 2 from moving on the pipe 6, a chain I 18 (Figure 2) is secured to a suitable bracket I provided on the foot housing 24 and is placed in tension around the lower portion of the pipe 6 by a load binder I82 communicating with a spring I84 anchored at one end to a bracket I86 provided on the opposite foot or clamp housing 22.

Operation The beveling apparatus 2 is normally installed on a pipe 6 by threading over one end of a pipe section, frequently however, the end of the pipe is not accessible and the machine must be lowered onto the pipe. The present machine may be thus lowered onto a pipe by removing the numerous bridging sections such as section I6 of the adapter ring 4, and the bridging section 16 of the carrier ring 10. The bridging section 84 of the ring gear 82 is secured to the carrier ring bridging section 16, it consequently is removed with section I6, thereby providing an opening in the lower portion of the apparatus sufliciently large to allow the machine to be lowered onto the pipe 6. When the supporting clamps 8 and I8 contact the surface of the pipe, the bridging sections I6, I6 and 84 are replaced.

In the preferred embodiment, the radially disposed shafts or screw jacks 32 are provided with right hand threads and the vertical shaft 52 of the center clamp housing is provided with left hand threads. The system of bevel gears interconnecting the shafts 32 and 52 rotate the shaft 52 in one direction when the shafts 32 are rotated in the opposite direction, therefore when the shafts 32 are rotated in a clockwise direction (referring to the outer end) the feet 8 and I8 are moved outwardly. Since shaft 52 is rotating in an opposite or counter-clockwise direction, its corresponding nut 54 and clamp 58 are also moved outwardly. It is thus readily seen that all of the clamping feet may be moved inwardly by turning one of the shafts in the opposite direction. It will also be apparent that the shafts may be threaded in a reverse manner to that described above without affecting the principle of operation. Since one side of the pipe may be more accessible to the operator than the other side, each of the shafts is adapted to be turned by the hand crank 36. The machine is centered with respect to the center line of the pipe by moving the feet 8, I8 and 58 inwardly or outwardly until the indicating groove 66 on plunger 64 is visible through the transverse slot 61 in the center foot clamp 58. For example, when the machine is placed on the pipe 6, the feet 8 and I8 may be extended too far as illustrated in Fig. 9. It will then be apparent that the center of the adapter ring 4 will be at point B, whereas the center of the pipe 6 will be at a lower position, point A. Also, the groove 66 will be below the horizontal slot 61 in the foot 58. In this position of the adapter ring 4, the distance from point A to a point Y on the adapter ring 4 adjacent the foot I8 will be less than the distance from point A to a point X on the adapter ring 4 adjacent the center foot 58. Thus, when the ring 4 is moved downwardly (by moving the feet 8 and I8 outwardly) to a concentric relation with the pipe 6, the point X on the adapter ring 4 must move a greater distance than the point Y toward point A. The center foot 58 will also be moved radially outward. However, the foot 58 will simultaneously move downward a slightly greater distance and move over the stationary indicating plunger 64 to bring the transverse slot 61 toward the indicating groove 66. Upon centering the adapter ring 4, the points X and Y will be an equal distance from, the center of the pipe 6 and the indicating groove 66 will be observable through the transverse slot 6'! in the center foot 58. After the apparatus has been centered, it is then secured to the pipe by placing the chain I18 in tension around the lower portion of the pipe, hooking it in the load binder I82 and locking the load binder.

The torch holding assembly allows adjustment of the cutting torch I66 in three directions, axiis obtained by rotating the pinion knob I18 and pinion I68. The pinion I68 is supported in the cylindrical portion I64 of torch clamp I62 and engages a rack (not shown) secured on the side of the cutting torch I66, therefore a rotational movement of pinion I68 moves torch I66 and its attached rack vertically toward or away from the pipe 6, depending upon the direction of rotation of the pinion.

The angular adjustment of the torch is obtained by loosening the bolt I68 and moving the torch clamp I62 over the face of the arcuate plate I36. This movement is constant since bolt I68 is retained in the arcuate slot I58 and the inner face of the torch clamp I62 is provided with a spline (not shown) retained in the spaced arcuate groove I59 so that the'clamp I62 is constrained to move in an arcuate path. As before noted, the arcuate slot I58 and arcuate groove I59 are formed on arcs of concentric circles having a common center at the lower end I'II of the torch I66, therefore as the angular position of torch I66 is adjusted, the lower end IlI thereof is maintained in spaced relation to the outer surface of the pipe 6, thereby eliminating the necessity of subsequent axial and radial adjustments.

The angular position of the torch I66 obviously determines the angle of bevel obtained on the pipe 6 and the maximum angles of bevel which maybe obtained are limited by the length of the slot I58 and groove I59 which may be extended as desired. The upper arcuate surface I88 of the plate I36 may be calibrated in degrees if desired to facilitate the angular adjustments of the torch The spring I28 disposed in the upper end of sleeve I24 continually exerts a downward force or tension on the plunger I38, thereby maintaining the roller I56 in constant contact with the outer surface of the pipe 6. Since the shaft I54 supporting the wheel I58 is in a fixed spaced relation to the cutting torch I66, the lower end I'II of the torch is maintained in a fixed spaced relation to the outer surface of the pipe 6, thereby obtaining a smooth bevel even though the pipe may be slightly out of round. It is readily seen that the radial position of sleeve I24 is determinedby the size of the pipe 6 and may be adjusted by loosening the tightening screw I23.

The cutting torch I66 is prevented from turning about the sleeve I24 by the action of the forked end I48 of the guide member I58 on the vertical or radial spline I46 of the stud I38, and the torch is prevented from falling when the machine is removed from the pipe 6 by the guide member end I48 contacting the washer I44.-

After the cutting torch I66 has been placed in the desired position and lighted, the machine is placed in operation by turning the drive shaft 88. The pinion gear 86 secured to the end of the drive shaft engages the ring gear 82 and moves the ring gear, carrier ring 18 and the torch assembly around the pipe.

The drive shaft 88 is preferably automatically driven by any suitable motor (not shown) having a variable speed transmission to insure accurate and constant speed of the cutting torch during its travel about the pipe.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a pipe beveling apparatus which is capable of shop or field use wherein the beveling torch is quick and positive in its action. Furthermore, the angular adjustment of the torch member on the arcuate plate does not substantially vary the vertical or axial adjustments of the torch. In addition, the clamping means for mounting the beveling apparatus on a cylindrical member, such as a pipe and the like is such that actuation of any one member will cause a simultaneous actuation of the other clamping members in their proper relationship therebetween. The synchronized centering with the indicator attachment in the center foot member provides for positive concentric setting of the machine on the pipe. The adjustability of the cutting torch provides for disposing the torch at various angles which will permit a beveled angle cut of 40 in either direction relative to opposite ends of the calibrated arcuately shaped plate. Adjustment of the torch on the arcuately shaped plate is not affected while making adjustments either axially or vertically if desired, and the flexible arrangement of the torch provides for any variance due to out of round portions of the pipe as indicated by the supporting roller.

Alluding further to the strip or race 96 between the carrier flange and the adaptor ring flange l4, it is desired that this strip 95 be made of tempered steel liner providing a hard bearing surface.

Changes may be made in the combination and arrangement of parts as heretofore set forth in the specification and shown in the drawings, it being understood that any modification in the precise embodiment of the invention may be made within the scope of the following claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a pipe cutting apparatus comprising a stationary annular ring adapted to surround a pipe, a forwardly extending circumferential flange on the stationary ring adjacent the outer periphery thereof, a pair of housings in spaced relation on the rear face of said stationary ring, a radial threaded shaft rotatably disposed in each of said housings, clamping members extending into each of said housings and in spaced relation to said radial shafts, fastening means connecting said shafts to one end of said clamping members for moving said clamping members radially when said shafts are rotated, a housing disposed on the rear face of said stationary ring mid-way between said first mentioned housings, a vertical threaded shaft rotatably disposed in said last mentioned housing, a center foot member extending into said last mentioned housing, means connecting said vertical shaft to the upper end of said center foot member for moving said center foot member vertically when said vertical shaft is rotated, a plunger reciprocally disposed in the lower end of said center foot member, a mark on said plunger for centering the clamping members relative to the pipe, gear means interconnecting the radial shafts and vertical shaft for providing a simultaneous rotation of all of said shafts when one of said shafts is rotated, an annular carrier ring rotatably disposed in said stationary ring, and torch holding means secured to the outer face of said carrier ring.

2. In an apparatus for cutting a pipe, comprising a stationary annular ring of a size to surround the pipe, a pair of housings secured in spaced relation on one face of said ring, a threaded shaft rotatably supported in each of said housings in a direction radial to the ring, a supporting member extending into each of said housings in spaced relation to the respective shaft and adapted to contact the pipe, fastening means connecting said shafts to said supporting members for moving said supporting members radially with respect to the ring when said shafts are rotated, an auxiliary housing secured to said stationary ring between said first mentioned housings, a vertical threaded shaft rotatably secured in said auxiliary housing, a center foot member in said auxiliary housing extending toward the pipe, means connecting said vertical shaft to said center foot member for moving said center foot member vertically when said vertical shaft is rotated, gear means interconnecting said radial shafts and said vertical shaft to provide rotational movement of all of said shafts when one of said shafts is rotated, means for rotating one of said shafts, plunger means reciprocally disposed in the lower end of said center foot member and adapted to extend into contact with the pipe, an aperture provided in said center foot member, and a mark on said plunger visible through said aperture when the lower end of said plunger and the inner ends of said supporting members are an equal distance from the center line of the ring.

3. In an apparatus for cutting a pipe, comprising a stationary ring of a size to surround the pipe, a pair of housings secured in spaced relation on said stationary ring, a supporting member in each of said housings adapted to extend into contact with the pipe, a third housing secured on said stationary ring between said first mentioned housings, a center foot member extending into said third housing, a spring loaded plunger carried by said center foot member adapted to extend into contact with the pipe, an aperture in said center foot member, a mark on said plunger visible through said aperture when the outer end of said plunger and the outer ends of said supporting members are an equal distance from said ring, and means for moving said supporting members and center foot member simultaneously and uniformly toward and alternately away from said ring.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,692,924 Brown Nov. 27, 1928 1,705,923 Irwin et a1 Mar. 19, 1929 1,775,667 Buckman Sept. '16, 1930 1,885,107 Brown Nov. 1, 1932 1,998,729 Mathey et a1. Apr. 23, 1935 2,086,764 Brown July 13, 1937 2,090,431 Stover Aug. 17, 1937 2,146,959 Kugel Feb. 14, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 36,742 Switzerland Mar. 14, 1906 594,998 Germany Mar. 26, 1934 

